Player-piano.



E. R. PHILBLADE.

PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1911. 1,075,853. Patented Oct.14,1913.

4 SHEETS-5311! 1.

"Jam.

ATTORNEY.

E. R. PHILBLADE.

PLAYER PIANO. APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1911.

[975,853. Patented Oct. 14; 1913. F '4. I? 4 BKEETS-SKEET 2.

INVENTOR.

lV/TNIQ'SES: 7 7i 7) A TTORNEY.

E. R. PHILBLADB.

PLAYER PIANO. APPLICATEOF FILED JULY 28, 1911. [75,853 Patented Oct. 14, 1913.

4 sums-sum 3. l0 I IVVENTOR.

jQW j @makumm A TTORNE Y.

IVITNESSES:

E. R. PHILBLADE.

PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1911.

1 975,853. Patented Oct. 14, 1913.

IVITNESSES: [.VVENTOR.

W-WTALAM -A TTORNEY.

45 l piano actionior part thereof, is controlled UNITED STATES PATENT @FFlCE.

nmc R. PHILBLADE, or

FALL rynn, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T EDMUND corn,

or FALL Rivas, MASSACHUSETTS.

PL AYER-PIANO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oer. 14,1913.

Application filed July 28, wi l. Serial No. 641,165.

1 '0' all whom it may concern provement. in Player-Pianos,

, the accompanying drawings,

following description,

y 'pe ora ed'shee o o o P p r P rewoun ng o e a tra k r boar In instruments of the character described,

and as now commonly constructed and known to me, the tracker board is provided with ninety six holes, each connected with a pneumatic' action, there being eighty eight for the keys and'eight auxiliary neumatics for operating various auxiliary mechanisms,

such as the mechanism for increasing and diminishing'the musical tone, for regulating the feed, for rewinding the roll, f r cutting out the layenaction while the roll is being (ii and in some instances for starting and stopping the player action automatically by means of a coin, Each of the aux liary mechanisms in instruments-as now constructed and known to me requires a put it into operation and a separate pneumatic action to release it or put it out of operation. l

The present: ve'ntio'n has for its object- 'to simplify, ;i mprove and cheapen' the cost of instruments'of the class described, and to this end, provision is made, whereby the auxiliary pneumatic which puts-the auxiliary mechanism into-'operat1on also is employed to put it out of action, whereby the separate release neumatics now commonly employeda're dispensed with, and the starting auxil ary-Pneumatics are employed as the release pneumatics. To this end, the pneumatic which actuates or controls the by a valve, which in turn is controlled by a pneumatic goyerned by the paper or music sheet passing over the main tracker board,

and which may be designated the combined starting and stopping or release pneumatic,

provision being made whereby one operation of the pneumatic will open the valve to effect the action des red, and the next operahave invented an Imtion of said pneumatic will close the valve,

to stopv or release the said action. These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying this invention. Fig. 2, a front clevation with parts in sectionoftheapparat'us shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3, adetall of one of the valves shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4, a section on the line 44 Fig. 2.

Fig. 5, a like section with the parts in a di er ent position Fig. 6, a section-and elevation of a power pneumatic and the mechanism governed by it, which is controlled by thevalve shown in Fig. 4. Fig.

7, an elevation of Fig. 6 looking toward the left, and Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive views of power pneumatics controlled by the valves of the apparatus shown in Fig. l.

In the present instance, I have illustrated the invention as embodiedin three combined starting and stopping pneumatics, which control the action of four auxiliary neumatics, one for obtaining a substantially loud efiect, a second for obtaining a substantially soft-effect, a third for rewinding the music sheet or roll, and a fourth for cutting out or rendering inoperative-the player actions while the roll is being rewound, but inasmuch as the operation of-all the combined starting and stopping pneu-' matics is the same, a detailed description. of one will suffice to enable the'invention to be clearly and fully understood. I

Referring to Fig. 4, a represents a tracker board of known construction and such as now used in a player piano, and b the erfQ- ratedsheet ,of music which is move, over the openings 0 in the trackerboard. One of the openings c is connected by a tube 1 with the primary ing and stopping pneumatic embodying this invention; The primary pneumatic re 'rred to comprises a diaphragm 10 covering a chamber 12, havin an air inlet passage 13 withwhich the tu e diaphragm 1'( supports the stem 14: pf'tivo valves 15 16 located in a chamber 17 pl-Q- vided with a port 18' leading to the ti mosphere through a passage 19 in the-box or casing 20 of the combined'startin and stopping pneumatic, and with whic the valve 15 cobperates. The valve chamber 1'] neumatic of a combinedstart d is connected. The.

is also provided with a port 21 with which the valve 16 cooperates, and whichconn'ects the chamber 17 with the suction or exhaust chamber 22 in the casing 20, the latter chamber having an outlet port 23, which is con nected by the pipe 24, see Fig. 2, with the Y main bellows not-shown. The valve chamvalves 15, 16 are in the position-shown in Fig. 4, in which position the power pneu mat-i0 26 is connected with the atmosphere through the passage 25, valve chamber 17,

port'18, and passage 19, and the chamber 17 is cut oil from the suction chamber 22 by the valve 16, and the chamber 12 of the primarypneumatic and'the passage 13 leading to it are connected with the suction chamber 22 throughableeder opening 27. When the port 0 in the tracker board a isuncovered by a'perforation in themusic roll-or-sheet-b, air passes through the'tube d andpassage 13 into thechamber. l2'of theprimary pneumatic, and acting'on the diaphragm l0 lifts the valve stem .l i so as to close the valve 15 and open the valve :16, thereby c tting otf the power pneumatic 26- from the atmosphere and connecting it with the-suction chamber'22' through the port 21' as represented in Fig. 5. v p

The ower pneumatic 26 in its movement from tie position shown in Fig. 4 tothat.

shown in Fig.1 5 actuates mechanism for operating a valve 30, which cooperates with a port oi opening 31 in the upper surface of the casing 20, said port being connected as will be described to the'primary of another pneumatic action.

In the present instance the valve 30 is shown as a plate or disk, see Figs. 3 and 4, having on itsunder side a layer of felt 32 or like material, and provided with a curved arm 33 having'holes 34, t hrough which are extended pins 35 on the upper surface of the casing 20, said pins constituting a pivot for the valve, the holes 3st being sufficiently large to permit the valve to be raised -from its closed or lowered position shown in Fig.

4 into its'elevated-position shown in Fig.

The valve 30 is raised into its open position as herein shown, by means of pins or pro .jectio is 36 on the faceofa ratchet wheel 37, mounted to turn on a shaft 38 supported by an upright 39 on the casing 20. The ratchet wheel-37' is turned step by step' by a pawl 40,1pivoted at its lower end tothe movable member of the power pneumatic 26, and

ready to be engaged with the 'ne' rtf L- 1'? i .nntil the port a, 1n the 'main tracker b oard a position shown Fig. ,5. 'In "t 1 description of one with relation to t 1,075 ssa normally held by a spring 41 against a front stop 42, inposition to be nga "ea -wag one of the teethof theratchet wliee V The ratchet wheel 37 is provided with twice as manyteeth as'pins', and the latter are arranged opposite every other tooth, so that, when the power pneumatic is actuated onceby uncovering the port 0 in the main a tracker board a, the pawl 40 will turn the ratchet wheel 37 the distance of one ftbo'th and bring a pin 36 into engagement with the arm 33, so as to open the valve 30 and uncover the port .31 to the atmospher ,v When the port 0 is again covered music sheet 6, the power pneumatic; 26'is returned to its normali-p'osition sh n in; Fig. 4 by a spring 313 or otherwise; nd" pawl 40 is lowered into its p:

ing tooth of thera tchet'wh w ,whicli. remains in the position in'toi yvh been moved and maintains thevi il v is ag n i ncoveredli. Wh e"n thisi ,99 1.l'$i power pneumatic 26 isja'ga" moved. into what may. be"

movement of the ower pneu'inatijdth pzf 40 is enga ed with the next succeeding of the rate etwheel andjturns-the la't distance of one tooth,therle b fremo'vi g. pin36 from engagement wit the arm" '0 the valve 30, and allowing thelat jtjer t into its normal position'and closeftlie- It will be observed, thatthef'power matic 26 effects the openingofthe' and that thesame pneumatici ejif closing of the said valve. i

- The valve 30 controls the joperatio pneumatip, which for sake ojfj di s't may be designated an auxiliaryfpowi matic, inasmuch as it is,.au;ri1iary e neumatics employed in the regular 'pla y'ei'j. action and is only occasionally used. auxiliary power pneumatic may bejof aiiyjf suitable or known construction prises a power pneumatic, and "a fp'r' and its power pneumatic is'opera t'ive nected to any desired portion of the nisn according to what is to plishedgand inasmuch as the opera the same or substantid'llj'the Samas the pneumatic is concerned' -a;

anisin operated by it willsiifiice f to' the invention to be understood,

InFig. 61 have represented no, for obtaining a soft effect on thetone, is effected by reducing the throwJoi' ang of movement of the hammers, Tot-his, the usual hammer 45 is moved fromits' lf'ullj line osit-ion into its'dotled line"position,- b moving the hammerrail or bar 46"from 'i ts full line position into its dotted lin'elpos i j tion. For this purpose, the hammer rail 46- 1 -,o rages a is connected by suitable mechanism with the power pneumatic 47 said. mechanism in the present instance comprising a crank 48 attached to the hammer rail, and a link 49 connected with the power pneumatic 47, provision being made'for lost motion between the link 49 and crank 48 by a slot 50 insaid link. The power pneumatic 47 is normally connected with the atmosphere through a passage '51 in a casing 52 leading l to'avalvechamber 53, having a port 54 leadin to the atmosphere, and asecond port 55 lea ing to a suction chamber 56, having .the outlet port-'57 connected by the t-ubeor pipe 58 with the main bellows (not shown). Y The valve chamber 3 contains avalve-60,

-which coaperates wit the port 54, and a second valve 61, which cooperates with the port 55, and has its stem 62 extended into the suction'chamber 56 and resting'upon a diaphragm 63 forming-\amovab l tween thesuction chamber56 and a primary f neumatic chamber 64, which is connected wall. be-

" ythe tube or pipe 6 5with the passage 66,

the valve 60 is open, thereby connecting the power pneumatic 47 with the atmosphere, which enables the spring 67 to expand the power-pneumatic'and through the link 49 and crank 48 movethe hammer rail 46 back into its fulLline position, thereby aifording a full or'maximumfrange ot movement for the hammers 45. When however the valve 30 is 0 en as represented in" F ig.,, 5, air passes through the port 31 passage 66 and tube 65 into the chamber 64 of the primary pneumatic, thereby actuating the diaphragm 63 to close the valve'60 and cut off the power pneumatic 47 from the atmosphere, and at the same time the valve 61 is opened, and the power pneumatic 47 is connected with the' suction chamber 56 through the passage 51 and port 55,-with the result that the power pneumatic 47 is collapsed, and the la mer rail 46 is moved into its dotted line osition to shorten the range of movement of thh h'ammers and obtain a soft or softened remains open is governed by the music.

Under 7 sheet b. above described,'the-air in the tube '65 and primary pneumatic 64 i'sexhausted through 'the bleeder opening 69, and the'valve 61 is .closedv and the-valve 6O opened, thereby connecting the power pneumatic 47 with the-at Lmosphere and allowing the spring 67' to. lex- 'pand the same and restore the hammer: to its normal or full line position.

i-t-hat the casing 20 rovidedwith the'ports Z31 constitutes in e ect a supplemental'or' iauxiliary ported-board, whose ports are-eon; Etrolled by valves,-one or more accordingto Ethe number of auxiliary power pneumatics gused in the instrument. 1

When the valve 30 is closed as From the above description, it will seen vIn Fig. 1 I haverepresented the auil ia-ry' Z orted board or. casing 20 asprovi'de' with i ree ports'31 andw'ith three valves-30,90,

oper'atin I with them! The right 'han'tlfpb 'it 531- and wilve 30'controlling the powerpneug matic 47 connected with the hammererail @a's shown in Fig. 6, and wthel'eft'han'd pdrt= 31 and its valve 30 controlling.they-power pneumatic 72 shown in Fig. 8, which-is .c'onnected by m'echanism comprising a link-73f and crank 74 with a damper ra1lorbar'j75 provided with a cushion 76, whiclg. is n'dr- -1nally engaged with the strin'gsf7 is desired to obtain a substantially loud effect, which is effected by the collapsingof the power pneumatic 72; and the"; center port 31 and its valve 30 control the operation of two power neumatics80gi8llyshown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12.

The primary chamber 82 oh thepower pneumatic 80 shown in Figs' 9 andlO is ,and is designed to be removed therefrom; when itconnected by the tube 83 and passage 84 with the, center .port 31 of the auxiliary ported board; and the primary chamber 85 of the power pneumatic 81 shown in F igs. 11 and 12 is 'connected with said center port 31 by the tube I 86 and passage 84. The power pneumatics 72, S0 and 81 are operated and controlled in the same manner as above described with relation to the power pneumatic 47, and it is deemed unnecessary to repeat the operation in detail. .The power pneumatic 80 controls the operation vof a double valve 88 cooperatingwith orts 89,'and thereby cuts in and out the p ayer action while the musi'c sheet I; is being re wound. The power pneumatic 81-controls the operation of the mechanism employed to rewind the music sheet or roll, which mechanism'may be such as is now commonly employed and is not herein shown. Instead of erforming the particular functions herein described, the power pneumatics controlled by the auxiliary ported board and.

its coiiperating valves may perform' any other or desired functions.

From the above description .it wiIlbe seen that by means of the auxiliary ported this result in a player instrument in which the-power pneumaticsare operated bysucj tion,"I do not desire tolimit the invention to the particular construction of mechanism herein. shown for accomplishing this result.

The ratchet wheel 37 may he held in the po- In an apparatus of 'the character. scribed, 1n combination a main tracker board, aipower pneumatic connected theresition into'which it is moved by the pawl 40,. by a spring 90 mounted on the shaft 38 and frictionally engaging the ratchet wheel.

' Claims:

with, an' auxiliary power pneumatic, mechanism operatively controlled b said auxiliary power-pneumatic, an auxiliary ported board connected with said auxiliary pneumatic,'a-. ;vale co6perating with said aux iIiary Iported'board to control the operation of said auxiliary pneumatic, a ratchet wheel provlded with-projections arranged to open said valve when. theratchet 'wheel is turnedone step and, to release said valve when the' ratchetlwheel is turned another step, and a. pawl connected" with the firstflmentioned power pneumatic and cooperating with said ratchet, wheel to turn the same when moved in one-direction by the first mentigned power pneumatic,- substantially as described.- r 2. In an apparatus-of the character de--- scribed, in combination, a maintracker- '40 with, an auxiliary power-pneumatic, mechaboard, a power pneumatic connected'therenism operatively controlled by said aux-" iliary power pneumatic, an auxlliaryportedf board connected with said auxiliary pneu-u," matiq, a .valve cooperating with-said -aux-'* iliary portedboard to control the operation--' P of said auxiliary pneumatic, a rotatable tie- Evice provided with means for engaging said' valve to open the same by movement-of-said rotatable device in one direction, and-passf ou t Qffengagement with and release"*sai d 'vaive and permit it to be closed further movement of the rotatabledevicein the same direction,- and means'joperated the first mentioned powerpneumatic for tuating' said rotatable device to move its'te by step in the same direction, bsta'ntiall as described.

In testimony whereof, I haveis gned my- .name to this specification in the presence off'g' two subscribing witnesses V W p ERIC R; PHILBIIA D EZL.

Witnesses:

GEO. T. DESI'ARDINS, Ema W; CEDERBERG. 

